Giant Slalom Race Skis 2003

Ranked No. 1 in Rebound, the GS:11 "always has more power," says Brown. "It's very hard to max out." With titanium "Power Channels" running down its length and a dimpled, aerodynamic topskin, the GS:11 smacks of race-only breeding. But there's more to it. "Versatile," says MacConnell. "Takes very little effort to feel like the Hermannator," says Twardokens. That said, McGrath recommends "full-on, no-excuses, hips-in" technique to get the most out of it.

*Dimensions vary by length; these are for the 186 cm.

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DYNASTAR Speed Course$825, 104-64-102, 178-190Armed with Dynastar's smooth-but-powerful "Autodrive" construction, the Course is a "gentle giant," says MacConnell. "Really easy to ski, but when you lay it out, it offers a rock-solid platform, too." Delliquadri recommends it for "racers looking for an easy-turning GS ski with no compromise in stability." The Course "lets you build up speed fast," says Lewis, "and change your turn radius with just a little pressure." And it's great all over the mountain.

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ELAN GSX World Cup$750, 100-62-86, 176-192Less of an "all-mountain" GS ski and more of a podium-seeking rocket, the GSX gets top scores in Stability at Speed. Reason: A "Torsion Plus" element keeps its edges in the snow. "Big-stick power," says Brown. "Feels like the fastest ski out of each turn," says Delliquadri. "Really nails GS arcs," adds McGrath, "but won't forgive you if you back off." The harder they push it, the more testers like it. "Solid as a rock," says Thys. "But it won't make you feel younger."

FISCHER Giant Slalom$895, 104-65-89.5, 173-193If Einstein was right, the faster you go, the slower you age. No wonder the Fischer Giant Slalom makes you feel younger. No. 1 in Stability and Hard-Snow Grip, it's "a flat-out race ski," says Bigford. "I lost 10 pounds on the way down." Masters and NASTAR champs will love it, says Lewis: "Full-on, rocket, triple-X GS race, baby! Attack, and the course is yours." MacConnell, like most testers, finds it "awesome, but strictly for the course." As Twardokens puts it: "Eastern racers now have their razor blades."

K2 Axis XR$795, 106-64-95, 160-181No. 1 in Forgiveness, the Axis XR is well-suited to all-mountain carving, but it has a racer's heart within its damp, double-core MOD construction. Testers skied longer lengths for GS. "Not a World Cup race GS," says McGrath, "but fun in the course and on the trail." Morgan finds it "perfect for the racer who, by the way, likes to ski." Thys enjoys its "effortless rhythm changes."

NORDICA K12 GS$1,200 (w/ binding), 102-62-94, 170-188The Olympic medal-winning K12 GS has gel-filled modules in the tip to calm vibrations. The result: "Nice snow-feel, without sacrificing stability," says Forland. The K12's metal-reinforced wood core makes it "a great power ski with excellent snap," says Brown. "You've got to be strong, but if you use big angles, it'll fly." MacConnell's favorite approach to the K12: "Hammer! Serious technique yields serious speed." It's not a short-turner, but "it fires on all cylinders in long turns," says Thys.

SALOMON Equipe 10 2V Poweraxe Race$875, 100-66-93, 175-190Here's a friendly GS ski with a barn-burner gene mixed in. The new 2V, with a 66-mm waist, is "truly modern," says Delliquadri, who recommends two-footed carving. "Stand strong on both feet and it's rock solid." The Monocoque Titanium frame and "Metaltex" topskin make this a "lightweight GS ski that is as forgiving (No. 2 in the test) as it is powerful," says Lewis. "Great for aspiring racers all the way up to World Cup pros." Morgan says the smooth and highly versatile 2V "gives you options. The sidecutdoesn't dictate your moves."

Và–LKL P50 GS Racing Piston Motion$1,175 (w/ binding), 104-65-90, 168-193With Völkl's highly regarded energY construction (combined with a wood core and titanium cap that spans from edge to edge), the P50 GSbristles with new technology. With its integrated-rail binding interface and the Piston tip-flap dampener, the P50 masters many opposites: "Quick but powerful and very light," says Brown. "It's got an amazingbalance of skills." Delliquadri found the P50 "excellent as the speeds got higher. It's confidence inspiring." The P50 tied for No. 1 in Long Turns and No. 3 in Forgiveness. "It needs a lot of edge angle," says Morgan "but that creates incredible power."